They're EATING our ORCHARD!!! Japanese Beetle Swarms

[@DavidBrown-ii8wi]

Just a note on emptying the traps. I found putting the bag with a twist tie in a freezer for 15 or so minutes knocks them out cold. Then once chilled they can be poured out into whatever and then the bag can be rinsed and re-hung with the top part of the trap. I'm still fighting the little monsters, but the numbers 'seem' to be dwindling. Hey, thanks for all your sharing. From Ohio, David

[@gusgstratton8977]

Love this idea of freezing them then feeding to the chickens, but my wife freaked when I suggested we put a bag of them in the freezer.

[@dianeclement9224]

I get a fire going in my burn barrel and dump them in. Love to see them suffer.

[@AMRADIO777]

I set up a smaller bucket of lightly soapy water about 3 inches from the bottom of an opened trap bag and they fall through the bag into the water. I empty those smaller buckets with the immobilized into a 5 gallon bucket, wait a day then bury. I had 6 traps. In the height of the infestation The 5 gallon bucket would be at least 75 percent full of the beetles. In the Ozarks, yes.

[@pjmtts]

Shake the bucket before you remove the lid and they will be stunned enough to not fly. Freezing them makes them easy for the chickens to catch and not fly and on hot days chickens love a frozen treat

[@Minnesota_Mama_Bear]

ohhhh.... that's a great idea!

[@ritamccartt-kordon283]

Milky Spore WORKS! Bee Blessed Danny and Rita in TN on Rooster's Ridge

[@growingyourfoodinyourownba1221]

Hi Sarah, I feel your pain. We have an epidemic outbreak of Japanese beetles (JB) in Denver Colorado. Are you familiar with milky score? I have eradicated 90% of the Japanese Beetles grubs in my front yard. I'm on my 4th year of using the Milky Spore. It takes about two years for the product to be effective. If you get rid of the grubs you get rid of the beetles. You have to eliminate the JB by interrupting their life cycle. This summer I had JB grubs in my vegetable garden. I eradicated the grubs from my garfen and I will start using the Milky Spore product, Once I disrupt the life cycle of the JB, I will eliminate them visiting my property. Hope this helps.

[@johndauby7799]

We used the traps here in southern Indiana. We caught gallons and gallons of beetles and each year there seemed to be more beetles. I think the smell that the traps give off was so powerful that we brought in beetles from all the neighbors and thus the ones that missed the traps increased the total population each year. Finally gave up on the traps and just started shaking them off into a large can of soapy water each day. They seemed to like to be on the sunny tops of our blackberries.

[@patriciaalber367]

Live near Indy. Traps created more problems than help by a long shot. Picking them off into soapy water works best here.

[@Chantilly871]

Hi guys, a few years ago i started spreading nematodes in the spring and they eat the larva in the ground plus many other pests. We have so much less every year and you can also spread milky spore to help stop the grub cycle in its tracks! I do like the nematodes better as it's safer but it takes a few years.

[@chasstanford1973]

Where are you getting your nematodes? I found a source online but not sure if it's the best. Since you have had success...please share.

[@Chantilly871]

Chassity Stanford I ordered them from Amazon, they are called nemaglobe

[@rochrich1223]

I like the milky spore better because it's so specific.(I understand the kill rate of Japanese beetles are high and a couple percent of other ground living grubs. Hard to find solid info on the non-Jb control.) Since the milky spore is a living bacteria, a little will spread if the host is common enough. So, use the recommended rate on your ground and offer to dust the neighbors. I've been keeping an eye open for someone with live experience using nematodes to control flea beetles. Have you noticed an affect on the fbs?

[@Slassetter]

rochric

[@luadraponies]

At dept down here we’re putting flea beetles everywhere to try to control the shocking Patersons curse.

[@vak9851]

You are joyful even when dealing with beetles! A lesson to us all!

[@OZARKMEL]

Sarah, I duct tape a garbage bag to the bottom of mine (unzip the bottom) and put the other end (cut off the closed end of the garbage bag) into a 5 gallon bucket with a hole in the lid (put the garbage bag through the hole and duct tape the hole so they can't get out. Then there isn't a need to constantly be emptying the bags. Saved me a ton of time! Also, I took the bait lures double bagged them in zipper bags in the Fall....they worked just as well the next season. ;)

[@rogerstradley2225]

Sarah, I did the same thing, used a fertilizer bag and a kitty litter box with some water and soap. Have a picture of 3,000 (or so) dead ones. :) Blueberries are protected!

[@garybartek]

hi roger, do you still believe in the effectiveness of the traps? thanks gary

[@purplerain2922]

That's an amazing idea!

[@RockBarDorpers]

I would Place those traps further away from your crops and your orchard. Basically you're attracting all the Japanese beetles in your area to your Gardens. The Japanese beetle traps are great but you have to make sure you place them in the right place. If you have them close to your Gardens you're just attracting every Japanese beetle within a mile or two to your garden I know from experience lol

[@christinascleaning]

my chickens go crazy for them! thanks for this video, i want to get some, God Bless y'all

[@ruthbarrett8907]

Sarah and Kevin, I collect the beetles in an empty qt size yogurt container, with an inch of water in it. Hold the container under the beetles, tap above, they fall in and can’t get out. Then, I feed them to the chickens right away. For some reason, my chickens won’t eat dead ones.

[@xljimmy89]

Kevin-"set them out in direct sun and I will probably go out and shake the bucket to be extra mean to them." I lmao!

[@keithhuett4916]

Spray your ground in the fall and spring with soapy water and the grub larva will come up and the birds will have a feast.

[@terijean6351]

I used water in the bucket without soap since I was feeding to the chickens. Shaking it between additions of trapped beetles. Easier to feed the chickens wet bettles as they can't quite fly when wet.

[@UndefinedBailiwick]

They should make traps that are lids for 5 gallon buckets. Hell, there could even be a lid for a 55 gallon barrel made that uses forced air to disperse the scent of the attractant further to lure more beetles.

[@DeerParkFarmstead]

Holy cow! That is some serious damage. Those guys mean business. Glad you’re preventing further damage.

[@alexriddles492]

I use traps myself. I do two things different than you are doing. Japanese battle typically fly from place to place much closer to the ground than where you have placed yours. I hang mine from the bottom wire of a grape trellis so the funnel part of the trap is about knee high. I don't have chickens to feed them to so I put them in the compost bin. This is after the bucket in the sun for a day. My bucket is painted dark brown to get things good and hot. This spring I found my compost we full of the little green shells that didn't break down. They are now scattered through my garden. Hopefully, there is enough dead beetle smell to serve as a deterrent.

[@1gr8lpta]

we had millions of beetles this year too. I couldn't believe it. I really wished I had watched this. I'll know better next year.

[@cindy-ki8ex]

Last year the Japanese bettles ate all my green beans and this year they got them again. Last year I got one picking. This year I didn't get any. They are all over my apple trees. Last year they even are the little apples from the trees. This year there are no apples because of the late frost. We had the traps but there were so many that ir hardly made a dent..

[@janicejurgensen2122]

Great job!

[@jimsgardensandrabbitry]

I feel your pain and next year I will be doing the same thing. I never had a problem here in Maine until this past summer. Thanks. Love and blessings, Jim

[@nancynolton6079]

Do not put near plants that you want to protect put further away to "lure" them away.

[@angief8597]

Purrfectly funny! Ugh! So many beetles! We don't get so many, however! glad I really couldnt hear them all in the bags and bucket! Shake 'em up..lol! IThank you for being so generous with your time and information!

[@marciajordonatshilohhomest4317]

Thank you! Just started seeing them today here where we are in Missouri. Got our traps today too. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏼

[@eileenpalumbo6578]

Thanks for the info. I will try for sure.

[@BethJacksonkd4ypb]

I am really enjoying your videos. So much info. You 2 look like you would be fun to have as friends/neighbors.

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

We are! Hahha! Glad you are enjoying our channel. - Kevin and Sarah

[@warriorrod2382]

We dumped 30 1/2 gallon bags of them using this trap .....worked well but ya have to change frequently almost daily for two weeks

[@robbobcat7286]

a little warning i have use these and if you put them in a lawn area they will fall in the lawn near the bag and next year the grubs will infest your lawn. i would put them in the woods they will find the bags

[@missourigirl4101]

I found that using traps brought mote beetles. I have to pick them off into a soapy bucket. I don't have Large property like you though. Good luck

[@jkhenderson1]

What a great invention!

[@Eduaim-ds1yc]

Put water in the bucket, then put dish soap on the top of that water. they won't be able to fly out and drown. You can catch more of these bugs by putting bucket with water and soap just below that bag, you will catch a lot more. One more thing - I think it may be more helpful to keep moving the bag away from your garden. You want to lure them away from your garden and not be tempted by your plants.

[@kimberlycleveland1816]

You two are too cute! Great teamwork! Thanks for the info

[@jimwise6901]

Thank you for info I am going to get traps today

[@janicejurgensen2122]

Love the scare crow!

[@mahealaniw]

I will be getting me some of those bags. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING...💜

[@debihalsey2247]

Yes, put some dish soap &"water in pail you drop them in. Should help, can compost then or feed chickens.

[@philandbevanthony264]

We foughtn them all last year and found dusting with baby powder seemed to be most effective...but have to do it after every rain or heavy dew. Seems to "disorient" them and they leave. Also turned the soil over last fall and again this spring...to let the frost kill their larvae. Planted potatoes in that area...we'll see.

[@swianecki]

Fun to watch you empty those traps. Good luck!

[@andersborum9267]

I highly recommend getting a couple of badminton rackets and then just go rampage on the JBs. While it isn't the solution to the problem, it's quite satisfying getting that "ping" off of the strings of the racket. Highly recommended as therapeutic action!

[@marywendt9567]

Freeze dry them🤣😅😜! I am fighting them here on our farm in Iowa. My geraniums are paralyzing them then I smash them. Surrounded by corn n bean fields. Feels like I am just spinning my my wheels. Love you guys!

[@essemsween818]

We don't have them over here Thank God! He didn't send them across the pond. And I had never in my life seen the Tomato Worm 'til Danny showed it. (Shudder) I'm with Kevin, we need 4 buckets lol.

[@1gr8lpta]

I did a little more research on the Japanese Beetle after seeing your video. Please check out the Iowa State University Extension and outreach video entitled - Japanese Beetle. The do not recommend the use of traps because these traps actually attract more Beetles to your area.

[@edmondsonoffgridhomestead8932]

Straight comedy!!!! U both work so well together. It was an interesting topic too. Never knew Japanese beetles were so destructive.

[@johnchase4408]

Get yourself another dehydrator to use for drying bugs only. Then dehydrate them and store them until you want to feed them to your chickens.

[@luadraponies]

Pity not electrified that would fry when they go in. Australia needs to learn.

[@highroad3580]

A few inches of water in the bucket keeps them in there until they go to the chickens. I just collect them early morning late evening every day during a heavy season directly into the bucket with water. This year I think the spores have really kicked in to cut down numbers.

[@kelcritcarroll]

I feel your pain! Same thing is happening to us in Michigan… they seem to come after me anytime I go out to the garden and it is a real problem! We also have a big manicured lawn which they really like so we get grub control regularly…we also were bothered by a false Japanese beetle hitch decimated our flowers.😡

[@stonyacres7676]

Great video. The beetles haven't arrived here yet. So we're hoping we won't have so bad this year.

[@43pasadena]

I’m sure the wind would play a big roll in where to put the traps. Put the traps upwind of the plants you want to protect. Thank you for the video. 👍🏻👌🏻

[@helenbailey825]

Read under google about those beetle traps. It says they help your neighbor more than u by attracting the beetles from their yard to yard

[@backyardtomato]

I know this is an old video but maybe you will see it. Fill the bucket with water and drill holes in the lid so that you can dump the bugs in the water to drown and once dead pour the water out. Just an idea.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Great info, Thank you.

[@terijean6351]

We have 4 lure/traps and have caught 1000's! Currently have a 5 gallon bucket half full and still need to empty today. Sarah, yes the smell is disgusting!

[@hollygibson628]

So glad for your video yesterday we were looking at our peach tree and discussing what our options were... Perfect timing guys. On Amazon it shows a map where the Japanese Beatles are and we are in central Illinois.

[@kellygarnet6329]

If you are leaving the grapevines to lure them at least put a trap there. Feeding on the grapes isn't getting rid of them and all of those beetles will breed continuing the problem. Gotta trap 'em all. I wouldn't compost either as there are probably eggs that will hatch. Those traps are a wonderful solution and so affordable.

[@windyacresfarm9789]

Great video👍

[@lauragriffin6512]

HATE those damned beetles!!!! LOL...love your shriek. You're so cute. Your fenced-in gardens look really GREAT!!

[@heartseasehomestead]

I haven't read through all the comments but thought I'd share with you what I do with the beetles I collect in my trap. I take a bucket filled with about 3-5" of water - water only, no soap. I dump the beetles out of the bag and into the water. Then I take the bucket to my chicken coop and dump the bucket - water & beetles - into one of those low rubber feed pans and since the beetles are not able to get out of the water, my chickens gather around to feast on the beetles by plucking them right out of the water. Easy peasy and extra protein for my layers that do not free range. I have a small video on my Instagram page showing my girls gorging themselves on the beetles...which makes me very happy to watch, lol! It's about halfway down through my feed - heartseasehomestead on IG. Love your channel guys!

[@kelcritcarroll]

They live that lawn of yours!

[@eabbott13]

Wow that really works well. Thank you for the great tutorial. I don't think we have that issue here in Idaho, at least I've never seen them.

[@terijean6351]

I keep a bucket handy too, they love sweet potato vines. I've caught 1000's with the different traps. Too many to even feed to the chickens.

[@janw491]

Spray with dilute kaolin spray helps A little water in the bucket keeps them in until you feed the chickens, they stay on the ground then long enough for the feeding frenzy!🇨🇦

[@christinahaggard3432]

my poor roses and other "delicious" bushes and trees thank you. MUCH better than one suggestion was, "just dont grow things they want to eat." .....lol :) Have an AMAZING day!

[@devong1414]

In addition, something you might try for the future, temporarily fence your orchard and under the grape vine and put your chickens in them. The chickens will scratch and eat (and help put a dent in next years crop).

[@courtneylynable]

I love watching your videos and learning from you! I was wondering if you planned on doing an update this year on your orchard?

[@arnoldromppai5395]

when we get an investation of a harmfull bug we set traps for them long before they show up, that way they hit the traps before they become a problem on the plants, get a 2nd lid for the pail, and cut a slot in the lid the width of the bag and about 2" wide, open the bag and put it in the slot and shake them out, they cay cant get out, then put the other lid on after your done, we dont get them here but we get all kinds of others

[@patricklawson7533]

I agree with putting them at least 100' away from the garden. My experience is to close and you are just attracting them TOO the garden. We use to say to get rid of beetles put the traps in your neighbors yard!

[@sherlockhoka]

Use gallon zip lock bags putting on over the other, and release the beetles into the zip lock bags.

[@watermelonlalala]

This is when I lose my fighting spirit. When I have to fight the bugs so hard, I tend to say, I give up.

[@deblanfair8510]

Japanese bettles seem to love my rose bushes the most on my property. I use the traps too but would love to know of something to put on the ground to stop them . love your videos

[@amandabarnes5235]

Haha! I'm not afraid of beetles, but I would be wigging out! That's a lot of beetles! Enough to make it creepy.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Good lord you are infested with'em! Traps look to be working really good! Hope you can get them under control!

[@janetsanchez7555]

good teamwork guys !! love your videos so organized and informative :)

[@Iflie]

Maybe it's easier to empty them into a loose bag? That you can close around the bottom of the trap as you empty it. So they can't fly back up and out. It would be easier to crush them in there too if you wanted to or stick them in a freezer to kill them in the bag.

[@dennismott9183]

You can also use soapy dish soap and spry the plants.

[@chasstanford1973]

Yikes! I am fighting them too! I have thought about the traps, but I know it actually causes more beetles to come to the area since it is a lure. I am going to introduce nematodes to the garden area this fall. Maybe, I will try the traps...I don't know...

[@mompop623]

Thank you for this video! I ordered some as soon as I finished watching this. :) I have 3 new apple trees and I want to see them from those pesky beetles. Love your videos!

[@alittletexasingeorgia]

I had a crepe myrtle tree they loved to eat. I would go out a couple times a day and especially around dusk with a gallon bucket with soapy water and knock them off into it. they mostly would gather and eat the blooms so it was easy to knock off a bunch at a time. After about two years didn't have near as many to have to worry about. You have to break the cycle no matter what you do. I always felt the traps attracted just more to your own yard. If I wanted to set traps I would take it to the neighbors property.

[@sebastiancannavo8786]

I think the traps attract them. On the way to the trap they stop and feed.

[@OakKnobFarm]

Those buggers drive me nuts. We're still a few weeks away in my area, but they're coming! Good luck in the fight, and thanks for sharing your ideas

[@tinazatse7008]

You guys are too cute! LOL

[@tammyfillmore475]

Have you ever tried milk spore as a preventive using the traps seems to draw more in from everywhere

[@NimoonccchvffyfxkokkppSatar]

Goodmoring sara sorry to see how the bugs distroy your plants but you need more traps it's a lot work with those bugs.

[@theghostofglenn4301]

Just an idea, but could you modify the trap. Take the green plastic part off the bag and connect it right to your 5 gallon bucket lid?

[@kgs2127]

They seemed to love the nettles on my old property in lower northern Michigan. I used to mow the stuff near my Garden down but once I discovered it kept them busy I left it & set traps by it...this seemed to work really well, minimizing the damage to my edibles! I think your plan to keep the wild grapes is good maybe set a trap there or set one there first thing next year (my thinking is they will go to ground there this year & you'll catch the hatch next year if you are quick enough?)

[@MrVailtown]

kgs2127 years ago we had night shade plants around, the beetles loved it & it got rid of the night shade too.

[@mikedonovan4434]

On my homestead, the beetles find an enormous smorgasbord of fruit trees, berry bushes, roses, hazelnut trees etc. Since very few beetle food sources are found in the remaining 66 home landscapes in the subdivision, thousands squat on my property. Controls are manual removal with water drowning and the Spectricide traps. All dead beetles are placed in the bioreactor to contribute to "interesting" compost for the garden. If chickens are on the homestead, add live beetles to a covered water container and shake vigorously. Pour contents into chicken pen and watch the feast.

[@thepincushionman7063]

Sorry but we won't use Amazon. Going to the orange store today to grab some tho.

[@americaneden3090]

💖 this video 💚 the beetle bag 💛 free feed for chickens 💙 the excellent ideas in this comment section

[@ritamccartt-kordon283]

Take the direction of the wind into consideration. Bee Blessed Danny and Rita in TN on Rooster's Ridge

[@purplerain2922]

Woh! Since they are so many, why won't you put more bags? Just wondering. Love you guys!

[@garybartek]

can you offer an update on effectiveness of traps? I have read many universities advising against traps not because they can't capture JB. But they attract all the JB's from your neighbors and you end up with more JB than you started with. Having said that University of Missouri Extension authored paper JAN 2018 advising "Mass Trapping of JP" utilizing many many traps as a strategy vs one trap strategy. Look forward to a reply. many thanks.

[@marymcguire9248]

I use the same big traps and catch a full bagg each day for the last 3 days I incinerate the whole bag and put up new ones . They continue to swarm and strip my 2 Linden maple trees and grapes. I'm making a dint in the population only.

[@robertjorgensen6209]

I use the bucket to empty the traps I have a small co2 valve on the lid after emptying the traps I use a small co2 tank and fill the bucket with co2 next day dead bugs good for your chickens yum

[@sherry1674w]

May I offer a suggestion that has helped me? I used straight 'Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar' in a plastic dish (black) and poured it straight onto the dish bowl type (about 1/2 inch in depth or less) and the first night two slugs went in and I found them in the morning...then because I just left the plate/bowl out there, all the beatles that affected the plants never came back. I don't know if it is the 'smell' of the 'acv' or what, BUT, it completely saved the plants and they are so wonderfully strong now and free of any type of insect that was attaching them. Hope this helps too...maybe as an additional natural weapon! All the Best! Sherry :)

[@garybartek]

Hi, is this still effective? Gary

[@salliebeard1899]

Good luck, I will now keep my eyes out for the little boogers.

[@gi-gisaint9105]

When I worked at a nature center we would freeze the bug we fed to our birds it kills them fast and we could keep them in the freezer for longer

[@gi-gisaint9105]

Also seen people freeze pill bugs from their garden as chicken treats or meal worms

[@suzbrewer1766]

Praise the Lord for skunks and armidillos, they love the grubs!

[@lesleyharris3198]

Hi, I'm so glad we don't have them in England, my gosseberry bushes suffer enough with the cabbage moths, by mid summer they are leaf less

[@patriciaalber367]

Bt works wonders for those. But in England, with all that rain, you may not get a big enough span between rains to use it. It is a natural bacteria that only affects the digestive systems of cabbage worms. Fine to use in an organic garden. I did for the first time this year. Two days after spraying the worms stop eating. You start to see new growth almost immediately after that. Must continue to spray every 5-7 days. Definitely worth it. I sprayed over 300 plants. We get quite a bit of rain in the midwest in the US but I have managed to keep them at bay now.

[@singinghillsbykim9696]

Recycle your dish water by putting it in your bucket. They will not be able to fly out while you are trying to empty the bags. Once they are all dead just empty the bucket out for your chickens. The dish water won't bother your chickens. This way you won't have to wait till they are "cooked" in the bucket and if you empty it consistently it won't smell nearly as bad.

[@dpower02]

you should do some searching on "Beneficial's", it's about plants that attract the bugs to control the bugs you have and it is just a matter of getting some wild flowers with a shovel and a bucket and transplanting to your place. Once you have the Beneficial's established they will attract the bugs, wasps, etc needed to control your pests, you need to get plants like Fennel, Golden Rod, Rye, Yarrow, Comfrey, etc. once you have little patches of these Beneficial's around your place the beneficial bugs will come and they will be ready every year and working on your pest problems before you know its a problem.